On India’s 79th Independence Day , PM Narendra Modi announced his plan for a GST reform to ease the burden on Indian consumers and boost the demand for goods and services . Among other pertinent commodities and services, the mass market vehicles, including passenger cars and two-wheelers, could get cheaper due to the GST reduction.According to the latest news reports, the government is planning to restructure the GST implementation by reclassifying it into two broad categories – Standard and Merit . Until now, the goods and services were divided into 4 slabs with 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent tax brackets. The two new sections will have 5 and 18 per cent taxes . Currently, cars and two-wheelers fall under the 28 per cent purview. Lowering this to 18 per cent could mark a significant reduction in the prices of these vehicles.In addition, the GST reforms will also lead to reduction in prices of the spare parts of the vehicles. The maintenance and service costs would become significantly cheaper . Essentially, the running cost and maintenance of passenger cars and two-wheelers will become more affordable .The government is planning a swift implementation of these reforms. The Finance Ministry also emphasized that the GST Council is expected to discuss the recommendations in the upcoming meeting. This means that we can expect lower prices by Diwali this year .Two-wheelers expected to come with ABS from next yearThe Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has announced that Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) will be mandatory for all new scooters and motorcycles manufactured after January 1, 2026 . This new rule marks a significant upgrade from the earlier regulation, which applied only to two-wheelers with engine capacities above 125cc.ABS Now Mandatory for All Scooters and MotorcyclesPreviously, only two-wheelers with engine capacity above 125 cc were required to be equipped with single-channel or dual-channel ABS . However, under the updated safety norms, all two-wheelers, regardless of engine size, must now come fitted with ABS from 2026 onwards. This includes entry-level scooters and commuter motorcycles under 125cc, which form a major chunk of India’s two-wheeler market.Dealers to Provide Two Helmets with Every Two-Wheeler SoldIn addition to the ABS mandate, the government also plans to make it compulsory for vehicle dealers to provide two ISI-certified helmets with every new two-wheeler purchase. This step aims to promote the use of protective headgear and curb fatalities caused by head injuries.Two-Wheelers Account for Nearly Half of Road Accidents in IndiaAccording to MoRTH data , two-wheelers were involved in 44.5% of total road accidents reported in 2022. A large number of these incidents resulted in head injuries , underscoring the urgent need for safer braking systems and helmet usage.The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has reported that over 1.96 crore two-wheelers were sold in FY25 , making India one of the world’s largest markets for motorcycles and scooters.How ABS Improves Safety in Two-WheelersAnti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is a crucial safety technology that prevents wheel lock-up during sudden or hard braking. By modulating brake pressure in real time, ABS allows the rider to maintain steering control , reducing the risk of skidding, particularly on wet or slippery roads.Key safety benefits of ABS include:Shorter stopping distancesImproved vehicle stabilityReduced chances of crashes due to brake lock-upEnhanced control in emergency braking situationsSeveral studies have shown that motorcycles equipped with ABS experience 35% to 45% fewer accidents compared to those without it.With mandatory ABS on all scooters and motorcycles from 2026 and the helmet rule for two-wheeler dealers , India is taking a major step toward reducing road accidents and fatalities. These measures are expected to save thousands of lives annually and encourage the adoption of safer, smarter two-wheeler mobility.